Why the second headphone in wireless Xiaomi does not work: diagnostics and repair

You took Xiaomi headphones out of the case, turned on your favorite playlist, and suddenly you found that the sound came from only one headphone. The situation is familiar to many owners of the brand's wireless headsets, whether it's Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless or Xiaomi Buds. The problem can be in both a banal connection failure and a serious hardware breakdown. In this article, we will analyze all possible reasons why the second Xiaomi headphone stopped working, and give clear instructions for troubleshooting, from the simplest reboot to disassembly of the case.

It's important to understand that if the headphone is completely dead (it doesn't blink, it doesn't respond to charging, it's not determined by the system), the chances of recovery without repair are minimal. But in 80% of cases, the problem is solved software-just resetting, updating the firmware or cleaning contacts. We collected statistics on Xiaomi models and found that most often a failure of one earphone is associated with battery discharge, contamination of charging contacts or failure of synchronization between the right and left modules. Next, a detailed analysis of each cause with step-by-step solutions.

1. Checking the underlying causes: charging, connection, physical damage

Before you take your headphones apart or bring them into service, eliminate obvious problems. Start with a visual inspection.

• 🔋 Charge level: Look at the indicators in the case — is the light bulb on under the earpiece that's not working? If not, it could have been discharged more than the paired one.
• 🔌 Charging contacts: Oxidation or dirt on the metal areas of the case and earpiece block the current. Try cleaning them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
• 🎧 Physical damage: Cracks on the body, dents or traces of moisture (especially if the headphone has been in the rain or bathroom) are a sure sign of hardware breakdown.
• 📱 Connect to your device: Make sure your smartphone’s Bluetooth settings display both headphones, not one.

If the headphone does not respond to pressing and does not blink when extracted from the case, try forced reset:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes (even if the indicator does not burn).
3. Remove the headphones and hold the button (touch zone) on the idle module for 15-20 seconds until the red/white light flashes.

Warning: If the earphone never turned on after reset, don't try to disassemble it yourself without experience - inside a lithium polymer battery that is easily damaged.

2.Chronization failure between headphones: how to restore communication

Xiaomi wireless headphones work on the principle of master-slave: one module (usually the right one) is the main one and connects to the phone, and the second one is a slave receiving sound from the first one. If communication between them is broken, one earphone can fall off. This is a common problem after:

• 🔄 Firmware updates (especially on Redmi AirDots 3 Pro and Xiaomi Buds 4).
• 📵 Disconnect Bluetooth during operation.
• 🔋 Complete discharge of one of the headphones.

To restore synchronization:

Make sure both headphones are over 30% charged | Put both headphones in the case and close the cover | Hold the button on the case for 10 seconds (until the indicator flashes) | Get the headphones and wait for automatic connection | If it didn't help - reset the settings through the Mi Home app

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If the headphones still don't sync, try forced pairing:

1. Forget the device in the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone (Settings) → Bluetooth → ⚙️ headphone-name → "Forget the device").
2. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone.
3. Remove the headphones from the case and hold the touch zones on both modules for 10 seconds until red and white flash alternately.
4. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and wait for Mi True Wireless (or other model) to appear on the list of available devices.

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On Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and later, you need to press the touch zone 5 times in a row, rather than hold it. This is stated in the official instructions, but many users do not know about it.

Bluetooth issues: phone settings and compatibility

Sometimes the problem isn’t with the headphones, but with your smartphone’s Bluetooth settings, especially for Android 12+ and iOS 15+ devices, where new energy-saving protocols have emerged that conflict with older headphone models (like Redmi AirDots 1).

What to check:

On the iPhone, an additional problem may arise from Apple's restrictions on working with uncertified accessories. If Xiaomi headphones connect, but only sound in one, try:

1. Forget the device in Bluetooth settings.
2. Reboot the iPhone.
3. Reconnect the headphones by selecting Stereo (not Mono) from the list.

4. Software failures: firmware, applications and resetting settings

If Xiaomi headphones stopped working after updating the smartphone or the headphones themselves, the firmware is to blame, especially for models with support for Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear, where updates sometimes “break” the sync.

How to check the firmware version and update it:

1. Install the official Xiaomi Wear app (for new models) or Mi Home (for old ones).
2. Connect the headphones to the app via Bluetooth.
3. Go to the Devices section → [Your model] → Settings → Firmware update.
4. If a new version is available, install it by following the instructions on the screen.

Attention: ⚠️ Do not interrupt the firmware update process! If the headphones run out or communication breaks during installation, they can turn into a “brick” and require flashing through the Fastboot (which is only possible in the service center).

If the update doesn’t help, do a full reset:

• 📱 Through the app: Xiaomi Wear → Devices → [Your model] → Resetting settings.
• 🔧 Manually: Hold the touch zones on both headphones for 15 seconds until the red light flashes.

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After reset, Xiaomi headphones return to factory settings, including the Bluetooth name (usually Mi True). Wireless_XXXX). You will have to reconnect them as if they were purchased.

5. Hardware malfunctions: what can be repaired independently

If the software methods didn't work, the problem is probably hardware, and let's look at the typical breakdowns and how to fix them:

The most common hardware problem is the oxidation of contacts.

1. Take the headphone out of the case and inspect the metal areas on the case (usually 3-4 points).
2. Wet the cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%) or liquid to clean the contacts.
3. Gently wipe the contacts, avoiding getting liquid inside the case.
4. Dry the headphone for 10-15 minutes before connecting.

Attention: ⚠️ Do not use acetone, vodka or other aggressive liquids for cleaning – they can damage plastic and rubber seals!

If the headphone is physically damaged (crack, dent, traces of moisture), self-repair is possible only if there are:

• 🔧 A set of screwdrivers for small electronics (T2, T3, T4).
• 🕯️ Dryer for softening glue (temperature not higher than 80)°C).
• 🔋 Spare parts (dynamics, battery, plume) – they can be ordered on AliExpress by model number.

6. When to contact the service: prices and warranties

If none of these methods worked, and the earphone still doesn't work, it's time to go to the service center.

• 🔋 The earphone does not turn on, charge or respond to reset.
• 🔊 The sound is distorted (wheezing, crackling), the speaker does not make sounds.
• 🔥 The body swelled or there was a smell of burning (a sign of a faulty battery).
• 📡 Bluetooth module is not defined by any device.

The cost of repairs in official Xiaomi services (for 2026):

Important: If the headphones are warranty (usually 12 months from the date of purchase), the repair will be free, provided that:

• 📄 You have a check or a guarantee card.
• 🚫 No traces of self-repair (disassembly, soldered contacts).
• 💧 Breakage is not caused by moisture (this will indicate the indicator inside the case).

The addresses of official Xiaomi services in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service/center. Before visiting, check by phone whether they are repairing your model – some services work only with phones and laptops.

7. Prevention: how to prolong the life of wireless headphones

To avoid problems with Xiaomi headphones in the future, follow the simple rules:

• 🔋 Charging: Do not keep your headphones on charge for more than 2-3 hours after full charge - this shortens battery life.
• 🧼 Clean: Once a month, wipe the contacts of the case and headphones with a dry cotton swab. To remove earwax from the speaker mesh, use a soft brush.
• 🌧️ Humidity: Do not use headphones in the rain or in the bathroom, even if they are protected. IPX4. Condensation can damage electronics.
• 📦 Storage: Always put your headphones in a case, which protects them from dust and mechanical damage. Avoid storing them in pockets with keys or coins.
• 🔄 Updates: Check firmware updates regularly in Xiaomi Wear. firmware often fix plug-in and sound bugs.

Tip: if you use Xiaomi headphones with iPhone, turn off the function Automatic switching (Settings) → Bluetooth → ⓘ It can cause problems when switching between devices.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones that don't work